Ryanair revealed a dip in first-quarter profits on Tuesday after factoring in
the cost of the volcanic ash cloud which forced the carrier to cancel 9,400
flights.

Despite an increase in traffic and revenue, the budget airline's pre-tax profits for the three months to June 30 were €104.6m (£88.4m) after recording a €50m charge to cover the cost of reimbursing passengers whose flights were cancelled.

This compares with €134.6m the previous year. Before the charge, profits were €154.6m.

Ryanair said airspace closures were "unnecessary" and urged the European Commission to amend the regulations which the airline said meant carriers were exposed to unlimited liability for claims.

"We think it's wrong, it's unfair, it's discriminatory and we're looking for it to be repealed," said Howard Miller, Ryanair's chief financial officer. He added the airline had already processed 1.5m claims and was in the process of dealing with tens of thousands more.

He said he believed €50m figure was "appropriate", but added Ryanair should be able to give a "fuller picture" on the extent of the claims at half-year results.

The number of passengers Ryanair carried in the first quarter rose 8pc to 18m while revenue grew 16pc to €896.8m, with ancillary revenue rising from €165.3m to €203.9m.

The average fare per passenger is €39 and average ancillary spend per passenger is €11.

Mr Miller said ancillary revenue had risen as a result of "doing better at selling on board drink and snacks, rail and bus tickets" and was also driven by the fact that Ryanair is carrying more passengers on longer flights.

"Six years ago, we said we'd get ancillary revenue from 12pc of total revenue to 20pc and that's approximately where they are," he said.